The Taiwan local authorities are holding a five-day military drill at Taiping Island, to strengthen defense abilities.

The military exercises started last Saturday about 860 miles from Taiwan’s southern coast. In August Taiwan authorities upgraded the islands with several 120-millimeter-caliber motars. Taiwan senior officials are set to watch the drill if weather conditions are good.

The exercises have drawn wide attention among the countries around the South China Sea. Vietnam, with part of its territory within the motar fire’s shooting range, has asked Taiwan to stop the drill. It criticised the move as violating regional peace. However, Taiwan authorities insist the drill is legal.